Press Release: Commission Vice-President Verheugen welcomes Parliament vote on Advanced Therapies

On 25 April 2007, the European Parliament voted on a Commission proposal to regulate new medical products based on genes, cells and tissues. These advanced therapies herald revolutionary treatments of a number of diseases or injuries, such as skin in burn victims, Alzheimer, cancer or muscular dystrophy. But harmonised EU rules are urgently needed to ensure uniform patients’ access to treatments and support the development of this emerging biotechnology industry. The Parliament has endorsed the Commission intention to address all advanced therapies within a single European framework, and introduced a compromise package of amendments designed to further improve the text without altering its fundamental elements. The compromise package is fully acceptable to the Commission, and will now be examined by the Council of Member States.